Building and method of constructing same

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a house or light commercial building built on a building site including a foundation system having a foundation and a sill plate; a wall system attached to the foundation system, the wall system having a plurality of studs, an exterior sheathing, and a top plate for each story of the building; a floor system attached to the foundation system and the wall system, the floor system having a plurality of floor joists and a sub-floor for each story of the building; and a roof system attached to the wall system of the top story, the roof system having a plurality of roof rafters and a roof sheathing. The present invention also provides a house or light commercial building construction method including pouring a foundation, securing a sill plate onto the foundation, installing a plurality of studs, securing the plurality of studs to the sill plate, installing a plurality of floor joists, securing the plurality of floor joists to the sill plate, attaching the plurality of studs to the plurality of floor joists, securing a sub-floor, installing an exterior sheathing, and installing a top plate for each story of the house or light commercial building; and installing a plurality of roof rafters and a roof sheathing onto the top story of the building.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/686,152, filed on Jun. 1, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a building construction method wherein a house or light commercial building produced is strong, accurately built, easy and fast to build, cost effective, and energy efficient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently platform construction is the preferred method of building in the housing and light commercial construction industries. Platform building construction involves the first floor being built on top of the foundation and used as a platform wherein the first floor studs extend from the foundation to the top wall plate of the first floor. If there is a second story, the second floor is built on top of the first floor top wall plate and is used as a platform wherein the second floor studs extend to the top wall plate of the second floor. The next story of the structure or the roof joists and rafters are built on top of the second floor top wall plate. Platform building construction involves each story being individually connected and thereafter each story being connected to the next story which creates weak connections and reduces strength. Platform building construction involves a lot of cross-sectional lumber which increases shrinkage and reduces strength. Platform building construction also involves a lot of smaller and varied pieces of lumber which reduce strength and increase material and labor costs. Finally, platform building construction uses nails as a connection means which reduces the strength of the building.

Modular construction is another method of construction currently used to build houses or light commercial buildings. In the United States, there are over two hundred modular house manufacturers. Modular building construction involves making and assembling whole sections (i.e. entire floors) of the house or light commercial buildings inside factories. The modular sections are commonly made in box like sections, multiple-section units, and stack-on units. After leaving the factory, the modular house or light commercial building is 95% complete. Although modular building construction reduces material and labor costs, modular building construction does not allow for custom design. Modular building construction additionally involves the use of pre-processed sections which must be destroyed if they do not fit the foundation due to measuring errors. Finally, modular building construction requires significant transportation expenses due to the large size and weight of the pre-fabricated sections.

Panelized house or light commercial building construction is another method of construction currently used. Panelized house manufacturers comprise the biggest segment of the United States housing market. Panelized building construction involves making panels of a house or light commercial building in a factory and installing the panels by gluing, locking and nailing the panels together to form the building. A panel generally involves an entire wall or side of a house and it is completely processed and ready to be installed after leaving the factory. Again, panelized building construction does not allow for custom design. Panelized building construction also reduces strength due to the weak connection means used. Panelized building construction additionally involves the use of pre-processed panels which must be destroyed if they do not fit the foundation due to measuring errors. Finally, panelized building construction also requires significant transportation expenses due to the large size and weight of the pre-fabricated panels.

Balloon building construction is another method of construction. Balloon framing, which replaced post-and-beam construction, evolved when uniform sized lumber became available. Balloon building construction involves studs which are continuous from the foundation to the top wall plate thereby eliminating weak connection points and providing a higher degree of strength than platform or other construction methods. Although balloon building construction provides stronger connection means the speed of construction is slower than platform or other construction methods. Each floor structure (i.e. one, two, or more floors) is hung from the same set of studs. Balloon building construction commonly involves the use of nails as the connection means which reduces the strength of the building. Balloon construction can accelerate the spread of fire unless firestops are installed at the level of each floor structure because the spaces between the studs form open columns resembling chimneys from cellar to attic. Balloon construction reduces shrinkage and buckling of siding because lumber primarily shrinks across its width and there is minimal use of cross-sectional lumber.

Currently, building construction methods reduce high wind damage due to hurricanes or other natural forces by applying ties which secure the roof rafters to the top plate.

In view of the above, there is a need or desire for a building construction method which eliminates weak connection points and increases strength by using strong connection means, and does not allow movement or damage by high winds.

There is also a need or desire for a building construction method which allows for custom design in addition to reducing transportation costs, eliminating the need to destroy materials due to measuring errors and increasing accuracy.

There is a further need or desire for a building construction method which does not require much skilled labor, reduces labor costs and reduces building time.

There is still further a need or desire for a building construction method which reduces material costs by using pre-processed, mass-produced materials.

There is yet further a need or desire for a building construction method which reduces the risk of the spread of fire and increases energy efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In response to the challenges discussed above, a building construction method has been developed wherein a house or light commercial building produced is strong, accurately built, easy and fast to build, cost effective, and energy efficient.

The present invention provides a building including a foundation system having a foundation and a sill plate; a wall system attached to the foundation system, the wall system having a plurality of studs, an exterior sheathing, and a top plate for each story of the building; a floor system attached to the foundation system and the wall system, the floor system having a plurality of floor joists and a sub-floor for each story of the building; and a roof system attached to the wall system of the top story, the roof system having a plurality of roof rafters and a roof sheathing.

The present invention also provides a building including a foundation having a sill plate; a plurality of foundation rods embedded in the foundation, the upper end of each foundation rod passing through a sill plate hole and secured to the sill plate by a connection means; a plurality of studs, each stud having a bottom end connected to the upper end of a foundation rod; a plurality of floor joists, each floor joist having a bottom end connected to the sill plate; a plurality of floor joist rods, each floor joist rod connected to a stud and a top end of a floor joist; a sub-floor attached to the plurality of floor joists; an exterior sheathing attached to the plurality of studs; a plurality of roof rafters; a top plate including a plurality of holes; a plurality of roof rafter rods, each roof rafter rod having a bottom end connected to a top end of a stud and a top end passing through a top plate hole, the top end of each roof rafter rod connected to a bottom side of a roof rafter; and a roof sheathing connected to a top side of the plurality of roof rafters.

The present invention also provides a building construction method including pouring a foundation, securing a sill plate onto the foundation, installing and securing a plurality of studs to the sill plate, installing and securing a plurality of floor joists to the sill plate, attaching the plurality of studs to the plurality of floor joists, securing a sub-floor, installing an exterior sheathing, installing a top plate for each story of the building; and installing a plurality of roof rafters and a roof sheathing onto a top story of the building.

Pre-processed, mass-produced materials cut with a high degree of accuracy utilized in the present building construction method invention increases accuracy, and reduces material and labor costs. Strong connection means and continuous load path used in the present building construction method invention increases the strength of the building produced. The present building construction method invention increases accuracy and reduces labor time and costs by utilizing a marking and identifying means on materials for the placement of systems, including but not limited to, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing.

These and other embodiments are more fully described in connection with the drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of wall system components and roof system components installed onto foundation system components.

FIG. 2 is a front view of wall system components secured to foundation system components.

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of installation of floor system components.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a plurality of wedge slots in a sill plate.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a floor joist wedge attached to a floor joist bottom end.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a plurality of floor joists wedges inserted into sill plate wedge slots.

FIG. 7 is a perspective front view of exterior sheathing attached to a plurality of studs and corner insulation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a building construction method wherein a house or light commercial building produced is strong, accurately built, easy and fast to build, cost effective, and energy efficient. The present invention is designed to improve the balloon building construction method.

The present invention relates to a building construction method having the steps of pouring a foundation, securing a sill plate onto the foundation, installing and securing a plurality of studs to the sill plate, installing and securing a plurality of floor joists to the sill plate, attaching the plurality of studs to the plurality of floor joists, securing a sub-floor, installing an exterior sheathing, installing a top plate for each story of a building, and installing a plurality of roof rafters and a roof sheathing onto a top story of the building. The present invention also relates to a house or light commercial building having one or more stories which generally combines: a foundation system having a foundation and a sill plate; a wall system attached to the foundation system, the wall system having a plurality of studs, an exterior sheathing, and a top plate for each story of the building structure; a floor system attached to the foundation system, the wall system having a plurality of floor joists and a sub-floor for each story of the building structure; and a roof system attached to the wall system, the roof system having a plurality of roof rafters and a roof sheathing, and is produced by the building construction method of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates the installation of wall system components and roof system components onto foundation system components.

The building construction method of the present invention involves pouring a foundation 1 at a building site wherein the size of the foundation 1 is determined by the building specifications. Suitably, the foundation 1 may be concrete.

The building construction method of the present invention involves placing a sill plate 3 having a top side 2 and a bottom side (not shown) wherein the bottom side of the sill plate 3 is placed on top of the foundation 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The sill plate 3 may suitably be made of pressure-treated lumber or other similar material cut to the building specifications prior to arriving at the building site. Individual pieces of lumber which make up the sill plate 3 may suitably be connected by mortise and tenon connection means (not shown). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the sill plate 3 has a plurality of sill plate holes 21 for receiving a plurality of foundation rods 5 having upper ends 23 and lower ends 25 wherein the plurality of sill plate holes 21 may be created before arriving at the building site. The upper end 23 of each foundation rod 5 is bent and inserted through a sill plate hole 21 in the sill plate 3 and extends upward. The upper end 23 of each foundation rod 5 may suitably be bent at a 45 degree angle. A sill plate connection means (not shown) may be used to secure each foundation rod 5 through the sill plate 3. The sill plate connection means may suitably be a rubber injection molded connector. The lower end 25 of each foundation rod 5 may be bent and embedded into the poured foundation 1 before it sets. FIG. 2 illustrates each foundation rod 5 embedded into the foundation 1, inserted through the sill plate hole 21, and each foundation rod 5 extending upward. The plurality of foundation rods 5 may suitably be made of low-carbon steel or other similar material to provide a tensile strength of 68,000 pounds and shear force strength of 50,000 pounds. The plurality of foundation rods 5 may further suitably be of a standard size, such as having a diameter of 7/16 of an inch. The plurality of foundation rods 5 may suitably be inserted into the sill plate 3 and embedded into the foundation 1 at standard stud spacing and to allow for windows and doors.

A plurality of studs 7 having a bottom end 27, a top end 12, and sides 22 are installed next. Each stud in the plurality of studs 7 has a pre-drilled stud hole 29 in the bottom end 27 for receiving a foundation rod 5, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The stud hole 29 may suitably be drilled at a 45 degree angle for receiving the upper end 23 of each foundation rod 5. Each stud 7 is attached to the top side 2 of the sill plate 3 by inserting the upper end 23 of each foundation rod 5 into the stud hole 29. FIG. 1 illustrates the plurality of studs 7 connected to the sill plate 3. The present invention reduces labor costs by the ease of inserting the plurality of foundation rods 5 into the plurality of studs 7 and increases strength by the plurality of studs 7 being attached to the foundation 1 by the plurality of foundation rods 5 embedded in the foundation 1.

Measurements for remaining building components may be taken after the foundation 1 has set. The measurements may suitably be taken using a hand-held laser meter which is accurate to within 1/16^(th) of an inch over a 100 foot distance and may be transmitted electronically to the factory. The remaining building components may then be manufactured in a factory according to the measurements taken. The remaining building components may suitably be manufactured in a factory using machines having accuracy within 1/1000^(th) of an inch and 1/10^(th) of a degree for angles. The present invention increases accuracy and reduces labor and material costs by the timing of the measurements and the accuracy of the manufactured building components.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of floor joists 31 having a top end 33, a bottom end 41, a top side 32, a bottom side (not shown) and a center (not shown) is next installed. The plurality of floor joists 31 may suitably be made of solid-sawn lumber, I-joists, open web trusses or other similar material. Each floor joist top end 33 has a pre-drilled hole 35 for receiving a floor joist rod 37. Each floor joist top end 33 has a floor joist rod 37 inserted into the pre-drilled hole 35, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The sill plate 3 has a plurality of wedge slots 39 for receiving the plurality of floor joists 31, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The plurality of wedge slots 39 in the sill plate 3 may suitably be cut using an automated router. Each floor joist bottom end 41 has a wedge 43 for attaching each floor joist 31 to the sill plate 3, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The floor joist wedge 43 may suitably be attached to each floor joist bottom end 41 by nails and adhesives. The plurality of floor joist wedges 43 may be inserted into the plurality of sill plate wedge slots 39 forming a dual wedge (not shown). The sides 40 of the plurality of floor joist wedges 43 and the sides 42 of the plurality of wedge slots 39 may suitably be angled at about a 14 degree angle to avoid vertical lift. The present invention increases strength and prevents movement by using the dual wedge.

The plurality of studs 7 is next attached to the plurality of floor joists 31. Each stud 7 has a pre-drilled hole 44 in the side of the stud 7 for receiving the floor joist rod 37 in the top end 33 of each floor joist 31. Each floor joist rod 37 in the top end 33 of each floor joist 31 is inserted into the hole 44 in the side of each stud 7, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The present invention increases strength and prevents movement by securing the plurality of floor joists 31 to the plurality of studs 7.

A sub-floor (not shown) is next secured to the plurality of floor joists 31 by inserting nails along the center of the plurality of floor joists 31. The sub-floor may suitably be made of plywood or other similar material. The sub-floor may include notches (not shown) for receiving and aligning with the plurality of studs 7. The notches may suitably be about ½ inch wider than the plurality of studs 7 and may be cut using an automated router. The sub-floor is secured over the top side 32 of the plurality of floor joists 31 and around the sides 22 of the plurality of studs 7 creating a seal between the plurality of studs 7. The present invention prevents the risk of the spread of fire by creating a seal between the plurality of studs 7.

Exterior sheathing 45 is installed and attached to the plurality of studs 7. The exterior sheathing 45 may suitably be nailed to the plurality of studs 7, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top plate 9 being installed for each story of the building. The top plate 9 may suitably be a single board making the building more energy efficient. Each stud in the plurality of studs 7 has a pre-drilled stud hole (not shown) in the top end 12 for receiving a roof rafter rod 11. The bottom end (not shown) of a roof rafter rod is inserted into the stud hole in the top end 12 of each stud 7. The bottom end of the roof rafter rod 11 may suitably have wood screw threads and the top end 14 of the roof rafter rod 11 may have machine threads. The top plate 9 has a plurality of pre-drilled holes 13 for receiving a roof rafter rod 11. Each top end 14 of the roof rafter rod 11 previously inserted into each stud 7 is inserted through a hole 13 in the top plate 9.

The building construction method of the present invention thus far described, the attachment of the foundation system to the wall system to the floor system, is repeated for each story of the building. After all stories of the building are completed, a roof system is attached.

A plurality of roof rafters 15 having a bottom side 16 and a top side 20 is installed to a top story of the building. The bottom side 16 of each roof rafter 15 has a hole 18 for receiving the roof rafter rod 11 previously inserted through a hole in the top plate 13, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Each roof rafter rod 11 previously inserted through the hole in the top plate 13 is inserted through the hole 18 in each roof rafter 15. Roof sheathing (not shown) may be secured to the plurality of roof rafters 15 by placing a washer 17 and a locking nut mechanism 19 onto the roof rafter rod 11 previously inserted through the hole 18 in each roof rafter 15. The present invention increases strength and reduces wind damage by the manner in which the plurality of roof rafter rods 11, inserted in the top end 12 of the plurality of studs 7, connects the plurality of studs 7 to the top plate 9 and, thereafter, to the plurality of roof rafters 15, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The present invention also relates to a house or light commercial building having one or more stories which generally combines: a foundation system having a foundation and a sill plate; a wall system attached to the foundation system, the wall system having a plurality of studs, an exterior sheathing, and a top plate for each story of the building structure; a floor system attached to the foundation system, the wall system having a plurality of floor joists and a sub-floor for each story of the building structure; and a roof system attached to the wall system, the roof system having a plurality of roof rafters and a roof sheathing, and is produced by the building construction method of the present invention.

Generally, a house or light commercial building of the present invention eliminates weak connection points and increases strength by having a plurality of studs 7 extending continuously from a foundation 1 to a top plate 9. A house or light commercial building of the present invention has a continuous load path wherein a plurality of studs 7, a plurality of roof rafters 15, and a plurality of floor joists 31 are centered and aligned which increases strength and reduces material costs. Also, a house or light commercial building of the present invention is stronger, does not allow movement, and is not damaged by high winds by utilizing strong connection means including, but not limited to angled steel rods, opposing forces, and wedges.

The plurality of floor joists 31, the sub-floor (not shown), and the exterior sheathing 45 may suitably be pre-processed in a factory prior to arriving at a building site for receiving various openings, fixtures and mechanical systems including, but not limited to, windows, doors, stairs, fireplaces, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems. The present invention reduces labor, and material costs by pre-processing the plurality of floor joists 31 for receiving various mechanical systems.

Suitably, the sill plate 3 and the plurality of floor joists 31 may have corresponding markings (not shown) for identifying the placement of the plurality of floor joists 31 onto the sill plate 3. The sub-floor may also have markings identifying the center of the plurality of floor joists 31 for the placement of nails to attach the sub-floor to the plurality of floor joists 31. Additionally, the exterior sheathing 45 may have markings identifying the location and placement of exterior siding (not shown). Finally, suitably the markings may identify the positional placement of mechanical systems (not shown) including, but not limited to, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems. The present invention increases accuracy and reduces time, labor and material costs by identifying the location and placement of the building components.

Further suitably, each floor joist wedge 43 and each foundation rod 5 may be inserted into the bottom end 27 of the each stud 7 at an opposing angle to an adjacent floor joist and stud. The present invention increases strength and sustains high winds by using opposing forces to connect the plurality of floor joists 31 and the plurality of studs 7.

In another embodiment a waterproofing material (not shown) may be attached to the bottom side (not shown) of the sill plate 3 to prevent moisture from wicking into the sill plate 3 and the foundation 1.

In a further embodiment, the foundation 1 may be made of pre-cast concrete having a plurality of foundation rods 5 already embedded in the foundation 1 prior to arrival at a-building site. The plurality of foundation rods 5 may suitably be embedded further into the foundation 1 which increases the strength of the building. The pre-cast foundation increases accuracy of measurements and reduces the time for installing the plurality of studs 7 and exterior sheathing 45.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 7, a corner 47 of a building has at least two studs 7 having insulation 49 that may be pre-processed prior to arriving at a building site which increases energy efficiency and reduces labor time and costs. The corner insulation 49 may suitably be polystyrene or other similar insulating, waterproof material glued to the studs 7. The corner insulation 49 may also suitably be secured to the corner 47 of a building by a piece of lumber 51.

While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for the purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention. 

1. A building comprising: a foundation system including a foundation and a sill plate; a wall system attached to the foundation system, the wall system including a plurality of studs, an exterior sheathing, and a top plate for each story of the building; a floor system attached to the foundation system and the wall system, the floor system including a plurality of floor joists and a sub-floor for each story of the building; and a roof system attached to the wall system of a top story, the roof system including a plurality of roof rafters and a roof sheathing.
 2. The building of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of foundation rods connecting the foundation system to the wall system.
 3. The building of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of floor joist rods connecting the wall system and the floor system.
 4. The building of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of roof rafter rods connecting the wall system to the roof system.
 5. The building of claim 1 wherein the foundation is fabricated prior to transport to a building site.
 6. The building of claim 1 wherein the building has a continuous load path wherein the plurality of studs, the plurality of floor joists and the plurality of rafters are centered and aligned.
 7. The building of claim 1 wherein the plurality of studs extend continuously from the foundation to the top plate.
 8. A building comprising: a foundation including a sill plate; a plurality of foundation rods embedded in the foundation, the upper end of each foundation rod passing through a sill plate hole and secured to the sill plate by a connection means; a plurality of studs, each stud having a bottom end connected to the upper end of a foundation rod; a plurality of floor joists, each floor joist having a bottom end connected to the sill plate; a plurality of floor joist rods, each floor joist rod connected to a stud and a top end of a floor joist; a sub-floor attached to the plurality of floor joists; an exterior sheathing attached to the plurality of studs; a plurality of roof rafters; a top plate including a plurality of holes; a plurality of roof rafter rods, each roof rafter rod having a bottom end connected to a top end of a stud and a top end passing through a top plate hole, the top end of each roof rafter rod connected to a bottom side of a roof rafter; and a roof sheathing connected to a top side of the plurality of roof rafters.
 9. The building of claim 8 wherein each of the studs comprises a stud hole for receiving the upper end of a foundation rod.
 10. The building of claim 8 wherein a top end of each floor joist comprises a floor joist hole for receiving a floor joist rod.
 11. The building of claim 8 wherein a bottom end of each floor joist comprises a floor joist wedge.
 12. The building of claim 11 wherein the sill plate comprises a plurality of wedge slots for receiving the plurality of floor joist wedges.
 13. The building of claim 12 wherein the plurality of floor joist wedges is inserted into the plurality of wedge slots forming a dual wedge.
 14. The building of claim 12 wherein the plurality of floor joist wedges and the plurality of wedge slots each comprise sides angled at about 14 degrees.
 15. The building of claim 8 wherein a side of each stud comprises a floor joist hole for receiving a floor joist rod inserted into the top end of a floor joist.
 16. The building of claim 8 wherein the sub-floor comprises notches for receiving and aligning the plurality of studs.
 17. The building of claim 8 wherein each stud comprises a hole in a top end for receiving a bottom end of a roof rafter rod.
 18. The building of claim 8 wherein a bottom side of each roof rafter comprises a roof rafter hole for receiving the top end of a roof rafter rod inserted through a hole in the top plate.
 19. The building of claim 8 wherein at least two studs comprise insulation attached prior to transport to a building site.
 20. A building construction method comprising the steps of: pouring a foundation; securing a sill plate onto the foundation; installing and securing a plurality of studs to the sill plate; installing and securing a plurality of floor joists to the sill plate; attaching the plurality of studs to the plurality of floor joists; securing a sub-floor; installing an exterior sheathing; installing a top plate for each story of the building; and installing a plurality of roof rafters and a roof sheathing onto a top story of the building.
 21. The building construction method of claim 20, wherein the foundation is poured prior to transport to a building site.
 22. The building construction method of claim 21 wherein securing the sill plate onto the foundation comprises drilling sill plate holes for receiving upper ends of a plurality of foundation rods prior to arriving at the building site.
 23. The building construction method of claim 20 wherein securing the sill plate onto the foundation comprises bending lower ends of a plurality of foundation rods and embedding the lower ends into the foundation before it is set.
 24. The building construction method of claim 23 wherein the lower ends of the plurality of foundation rods are bent at a 45 degree angle.
 25. The building construction method of claim 20 further comprising drilling stud holes in a bottom end of each stud for receiving an upper end of a foundation rod prior to arriving at a building site.
 26. The building construction method of claim 25 wherein the stud holes are drilled at a 45 degree angle.
 27. The building construction method of claim 20 further comprising taking measurements and transmitting the measurements to a manufacturing facility.
 28. The building construction method of claim 20 wherein securing the plurality of floor joists to the sill plate comprises inserting a floor joist wedge attached to a bottom end of a floor joist into a sill plate wedge slot to form a dual wedge.
 29. The building construction method of claim 20 wherein securing the sub-floor comprises attaching the sub-floor to a center of the plurality of floor joists using nails.
 30. The building construction method of claim 20 wherein attaching the plurality of studs to the plurality of floor joists and securing a sub-floor comprises securing the sub-floor over a top side of the plurality of floor joists and around sides of the plurality of studs creating a seal to prevent the spread of fire.
 31. The building construction method of claim 20 wherein installing the top plate comprises inserting a bottom end of a roof rafter rod into a top end of a stud and inserting the top end of the roof rafter rod through a hole in the top plate.
 32. The building construction method of claim 31 wherein installing the plurality of roof rafters comprises inserting the top end of the roof rafter rod into a hole in a bottom side of each roof rafter.
 33. The building construction method of claim 32 wherein installing the roof sheathing comprises securing the plurality of roof rafters to the roof sheathing by placing a washer and a locking nut onto the top end of each roof rafter rod adjacent the top side of each roof rafter.
 34. The building construction method of claim 20 further comprising pre-processing the plurality of floor joists, the sub-floor, and the exterior sheathing prior to transport to a building site to form openings for receiving fixtures, mechanical systems or combinations thereof.
 35. The building construction method of claim 34 wherein the openings are configured to receive windows, doors, stairs, fireplaces, plumbing, HVAC, electrical systems or combinations thereof.
 36. The building construction method of claim 20 wherein attaching the plurality of studs to the plurality of floor joists comprises using opposing forces to connect the plurality of floor joists and the plurality of studs.
 37. The building construction method of claim 20 wherein installing and securing the plurality of floor joists to the sill plate, securing the sub-floor, installing the exterior sheathing or combinations thereof comprises using markings to identify the placement of the plurality of floor joists, the sub-floor, and an exterior siding. 